How rare is this?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
How rare is this?
So I spent an afternoon talking C3's with an old corvette mechanic (Felix at AZ Corvette Authority). Cool guy and he said when he saw my steering wheel that the horn ring was pretty rare. Apparently mid production the brushed aluminum horn ring was recalled due to the sun reflecting and disturbing the driver. Some of these still show up on CL and such but since they were a recalled part, they are for "show and non drivers". I thought the story was cool and wanted to know how many of my 77 buddies have the same thing on their cars.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
You are correct - very rare for '77. i bought a 77 new (and it was early). Didn't have this (even earlier) horn button.
I'd like to have my old '77 back. Black/Black ; Blackwalls/ L82, 4 Speed...
etc.
Oh well.
I'd like to have my old '77 back. Black/Black ; Blackwalls/ L82, 4 Speed...
etc.
Oh well.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,682
Likes: 3,135
From: Shamong, NJ
The recall was issued in July 1977. The horn button failed to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Standard No. 107, "Reflecting Surfaces". The reflectivity of the buttons was about twice what was allowed by the standard.
The number of cars built with the "recalled" horn buttons was 15,484, so they were not originally particularly rare. The question is, how many owners returned their cars to get the replacement button. I'm guessing, not all that many, because I've seen quite a few of them over the years.
The recall only effected cars with the optional tilt/tele column, as straight column cars used the 4 spoke "Vega" wheel, with the color keyed plastic horn button.
The number of cars built with the "recalled" horn buttons was 15,484, so they were not originally particularly rare. The question is, how many owners returned their cars to get the replacement button. I'm guessing, not all that many, because I've seen quite a few of them over the years.
The recall only effected cars with the optional tilt/tele column, as straight column cars used the 4 spoke "Vega" wheel, with the color keyed plastic horn button.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Newington Ct
I have the exact same wheel in my 75 but it has the plastic color coded horn button. I was wondering what year it was from. The po must have changed it along with installin a remote horn button. but that doesnt really bother me. It will be repaired at somepoint
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 139
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From: Phoenix AZ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 124
Likes: 2
From: Nashville TN
Wow. Mine had that center piece as well... and it was made Aug 3. 1977. bummer that I threw it away along time ago!
What I wanted was this:
I just had to make my own.
Dream... Think ... Design ... Fabricate ... Reality.
NUf said..
Robert
What I wanted was this:
I just had to make my own.
Dream... Think ... Design ... Fabricate ... Reality.
NUf said..
Robert
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Interesting, yes. Rare. Possibly not. The aluminum horn buttons were recalled. A PO of your car was supposed to have turned his in for a painted version.
They still pop up.
Daanbc: check the For Sale section. I think someone had one listed there.
They still pop up.
Daanbc: check the For Sale section. I think someone had one listed there.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jan 12, 2012 at 09:37 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 495
Likes: 113
Back in the late 80's some guy was selling them at Bloomington and I don't think they were very expensive. He seemed to have quite a few NOS. They may also have been advertised in Vette Vues around that time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
One of the old timers I used to work with had a hand full of them in his toolbox. he would keep them after doing the recall. That's probably where the ones on Ebay and CL come from.
My question is, what is the correct button for NCRS judging? THe aluminum one, or the replacement ones?
My question is, what is the correct button for NCRS judging? THe aluminum one, or the replacement ones?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Yeah he wanted $250. To me anything over $75 is high for a horn button.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12